Campaign
Tearfund’s global Rubbish Campaign is bringing together Christians in more than 10 countries across six continents in prayer and action to stop the world’s rubbish problem. Together we’re calling for a plan that holds big polluters to account, reduces plastic production and ends the impacts of plastic pollution on people living in poverty.
The Rubbish Photo Action is a creative and fun way to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and call on our government to play its part.
Over the next two years, nearly 200 governments are meeting to develop the first ever international agreement on plastic pollution. Ahead of the next round of negotiations in October, Tearfund will share your Photo Actions with our leaders and across our social media, to show that Christians care and want all people to have the opportunity to live a full life, free of all this rubbish.
How you capture your Photo Action will be influenced by you and your context, but here are the basic steps you need to take:
Think about who in your church or broader faith community might like to be involved. Who do you need to speak to get them on board? If you’d like to involve the whole congregation, you might want to start by speaking with your church leader then follow up with the person who could include a notice in your church newsletter. If it would work better to run the action with your youth group, bible study group or other small group, a conversation with the group leader would be a good start. Once you have the support of the leader, try to follow this up with a few personal conversations from people within the group as well as through the more formal communication channels.
Set the date and make sure everyone you want to be there knows when and where your Photo Action will take place!
ⓘ Please share the following statement with everyone who will be in your photo. By submitting your Photo Action to Tearfund, you acknowledge that everyone appearing in the photo has been made aware of this disclaimer and agreed to it:
By participating in Tearfund’s Rubbish Photo Action you give Tearfund Australia your permission to use the images taken in any media (appropriately) which may include, among others advertising, promotion, marketing and packaging for any of Tearfund’s communication outcomes. You agree that the material may be combined with other images, video, audio, text, graphics and cropped, altered or modified where appropriate.
Making banners and signs can be a fun way to involve children. It can also be something you can do together with a smaller group of friends and/or supportive people from within your church or group. Feel free to write a variety of appropriately-themed messages on your signs but be sure to feature a banner with the words #stoptherubbish. In the interests of reducing waste, use materials you already have to make your props. For example, use an old sheet and fabric scraps to make a banner or use up any old craft supplies.
Make sure there is good lighting (outside can work well!) and keep identifiable features (e.g. signs other than your photo props, names etc) out of shot (this is important for your privacy). Hold your signs and banners clearly and say cheese!
You can upload your photo via the form below or, email your photo to [email protected] by 7 October.
During 2023 and 2024, governments from around the world, including Australia, will be meeting to negotiate the world’s first agreement to address plastic pollution.
But it’s not a done deal.
We need you to add your voice to thousands of others from across the world who are coming together to demand an end to plastic pollution and its impacts on people living in poverty.
By praying, speaking up, changing our lifestyles and hosting events in our schools and churches, we can love our global neighbours and put pressure on governments to listen to the voices of people suffering right now. We believe every person, created by God, has value and should have the opportunity to live a full life, free of all this rubbish.
Living differently also strengthens our calls for decision-makers to act. We can use both our voices and our choices to urge governments and companies to make changes that will help people in poverty. By taking part in this photo action you are sending a message to decision makers that you and your community want them to do all they can to ensure this plastics treaty helps end the world's rubbish problem.
Tearfund will share all the photos we receive with Federal Members of Parliament to demonstrate that Christians care about the impact plastic pollution is having on people living in poverty.
Take action today and help end this rubbish problem.
